Fun Family Things to do In Atlanta this Winter

Don’t be -um- left out in the Atlanta cold this winter! There are so many fun family-friendly things to do in Atlanta.  Here’s some of my favorites:

• Go Ride The Pink Pig – Seriously, it’s one of Atlanta’s oldest holiday traditions.  If you haven’t ridden The Pink Pig, go!  We took our daughter (then 3) last year for the first time, and she thoroughly enjoyed it!  I have a feeling, after a trip to Disneyworld under his belt, my son will enjoy it, too!  For $3 a ride (and discounted repeated rides), you will take a train ride through a life-size story book.  The best part?  A portion of the proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Goes November 1, 2014 through January 4, 2015.Located at Macy’s at Lenox Square Mall,  Upper-Level Parking Deck, 3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30326Did you know, you can also have “Breakfast with Priscilla”?  Saturday mornings, through December 7, 2013, and Sunday, December 15, 2013, you can make reservations to have breakfast (adults $16.99, children $9.99), enjoy face painting, and then ride the famous Pink Pig!  Call 1-877-556-2297, or go here for more details.

• Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain – This is Atlanta, so snow -for the most part- must be made by artificial means.  And what better place to do so than at the largest piece of granite around?  Stone Mountain’s “Snow Mountain” is has something for everyone: tubing -even a tubing carousel for little tots, open space for snow play, and warm and toasty treats to warm your insides.  Be sure to call ahead and make a reservation, since space is limited. Check out special deals here.  Located at 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd; Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Call 770-498-5690

photo courtesy of http://www.stonemountainpark.com

• Global Winter Wonderland –  Well, one thing you can do at Turner Field, even amongst the chaos and confusion about a certain team moving to a certain county, is enjoy this extravaganza!  I’ve shown you all its amazingness here – and you can grab discounted tickets here.  Located at Turner Field; 755 Hank Aaron Dr SW; Atlanta, GA 30315  Call 404-314-1994
  
• Fernbank Winter Wonderland & Holly Jolly Film Fest– Saturday, November 23 from 10am – 2pm Enjoy a special day of cultural- and holiday-themed performances and activities inspired by Winter Wonderland.  And then the Holly Joly Film Fest: Saturdays, November 30 – December 14, 2013 – See some of your favorite holiday specials in Fernbank’s auditorium theatre, includes such classics as A Charlie Brown Christmas  and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Guests will also enjoy a dinosaur dance party with Radio Disney AM590, holiday-themed crafts  and a chance to take a picture with the holly-jollyest dino of them all, Santa-saurus.   FREE for members;  Located at 767 Clifton Rod, NE, Atlanta GA 30307

• Magical Nights of Lights – Enjoy millions of twinkling lights, festivities, and activities for the whole family, up at Lake Lanier.  My husband took our daughter two years ago, and she had a BLAST, and even rode her first pony!  (I had *just* given birth to our son days before, so couldn’t attend.) Attraction highlights this year include a live nativity, ice skating rink, traditional carnival rides, Santa and his elves, and more!  Open nightly November 15 – December 31  Admission price based on carload: $60 for cars, $90 for vans, $250 for buses (20+ capacity); use promo code CFA for $10 discount at LakeLanierIslands.com

• Six Flags Holiday in the Park – Six Flags has added a whole new level of fun to their park this year – they’ve transformed the park in to a winter wonderland November 22 through January 4.  There’s twinkling lights, special holiday snacks, select rides available for your enjoyment, and magic that only Six Flags can provide!

• Callaway Gardens Fantasty in Lights – November 21 – December 30, 2014 you can enjoy one of the top places to see lights, according to National Geographic, as well as a whole host of other spots, like storytime with Mrs. Claus at select times, and peruse through Christmas Village.  Psst, there’s also FREE weekday admission throughout the Winter months for free! Admission to Callaway Gardens is FREE Monday-Friday, Jan. 16 to Feb. 27, 2015.

• Lake Lanier Islands Snow World – Your favorite summer lake has transformed in to a winter wonderland for your enjoyment: tubing, speed slides, skating, carnival rides, fire pits & more! Admission is $10 before 4pm; $40 after 4pm (includes your Lanier Islands Christmas tour thru December 31st)  Skate for free (including use of skates, upon availability) upon admission.  You can get a $5 off coupon from Chick-Fil-A, Publix, McDonalds or QT, good any night after 5pm!  Open daily thru December 31st: Monday thru Friday, 5pm-10pm / Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 10pm; then moves to weekends & school holidays from January 1st to March 1st: Friday: 5pm – 10pm, Saturday 10am – 10pm, Sunday 10am – 8pm

• LEGOLAND – Ok, so not necessarily a “holiday” activity, but it’ll keep you warm on those -um- semi-cold Atlanta winter days.  This mega play yard has much more than meets the eye, including a soft play area, 4d cinema, factory tour, Duplo Village, and much more!  And fear not, I have discount tickets available here. Located at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta, 3500 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30326

• Breakfast with Santa – All over town, you will find free or super-cheap alternatives to standing in line at the mall (or making reservations back in July!).  Check with your local church – many are free, but ask for a monetary donation of your choice, or an unwrapped toy ; I bet you there’s a breakfast with Santa going on near you!  OR, you can also enjoy Breakfast with Santa at ONE Midtown Kitchen.

• Catch a Show!  We may not be near Broadway, but there’s a plethora of top-notch shows in the Atlanta area.  Catch the Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Fox (yep, discount tickets here via Goldstar) OR see the Gwinnett Ballet Theater’s version at the Gwinnett Center , A Very Grinchy Christmas over at Gwinnett Center (again, discount tickets available here), or check out this classic: A Christmas Carol, a solo spin over at Aurora Theatre in Gwinnett – (Main Stage 128 Pike Street Lawrenceville, GA 30045).  Did you think I’d forget discount tickets here for A Christmas Carol??  Pfft!  There’s also still time to see “It’s a Wonderful Life” here in Atlanta.  Of course, you can always build a fire, and cuddle up with your family at home, watching a long assortment of holiday TV shows from the comfort of your own home, too.
• Head to the Georgia Acquarium